Spanish 3rd Class Gunboats

By Nick Mitiuckov

General:

The following is some basic information on the 3rd Class Spanish
Gunboats. The author is searching for more information on these vessels,
and would like verification of the facts as listed below. If you can in
either of these items, please contact the website
administrator, and he will put us in contact! We need your help!

There was a total of about forty 3rd Class Gunboats on the official
Spanish Navy rolls, however, some sources list some of the vessels as auxiliary
gunboats.

The following royal decree set the classification of this type of
vessel:

These vessel were armed with one 87mm/27cal breechloading gun. Their
crew complement is unknown

These iron-hulled vessels were ordered to La Sen (France) during
the Second Carlist War. By the time of the Spanish American War, only three
gunboats of this class were still on the rolls of the Spanish Navy, and
they were stationed at Metropolis. These remaining vessels were in poor
condition, and totally broke down about 1900.

The vessels of the BIDASOA class are as follows:

ARLANZA (built 1875)

Named for a Spanish river.Career: During Spanish American War, she was in very poor condition.Her fate and details of service are unknown.

BIDASOA (built 1874)

Named for a Spanish river.Career: During Spanish American War, she was in very poor condition.Her fate and details of service are unknown.

EBRO (built 1874)

Named for a Spanish river.Career: During Spanish American War, she was in very poor condition.Her fate and details of service are unknown.

NERVION (1875)

Named for a Spanish river.Career: During Spanish American War, she was in very poor condition.Her fate and details of service are unknown.

SEGURA (built 1875)

Named for a Spanish river.Career: During Spanish American War, she was part of Ferrol Naval
Group.Fate and details of service are unknown.

TAJO (built 1875)

Named for a Spanish river.Career: During Spanish American War, she was in very poor condition.Her fate and details of service are unknown.

TARIFA (built 1879)

Named for a town in southern Spain.Career: During Spanish American War, she was part of Ferrol Naval
Group.Fate and details of service are unknown.

TERUEL (built 1874)

Named for a town in central Spain.Career: During Spanish American War, she was in very poor condition.Her fate and details of service are unknown.

TOLEDO (built 1875)

Named for a town in central Spain.Career: During Spanish American War, she was part of Ferrol Naval
Group.Fate and details of service are unknown.

ATREVIDA Class gunboats

Displacement

Dimensions

Horsepower

Speed

Range

Bunker capacity

Shafts

65 tons

19.52m x 4.11m x 1.70m

74

8 knots

500 miles

6 tons

1

These vessel were armed with one 87mm/27cal breechloading gun. Their
crew complement is unknown

These wooden-hulled vessels were built at Caracca between
1875 and 1879.

The vessels of the ATREVIDA class are as follows:

ATREVIDA (built 1875)

Her name is the Spanish word for "courageous."Career: It the early 1890's, she was part of the Cadiz Naval Group,
but in 1895 was transferred to Cuba.Fate and details are unknown.

CARIDAD (built 1879)

Her name is the Spanish word for "charitable."Career: In the 1890's, the vessel was transferred to Cuba. In the
autumn of 1895, the vessel ran aground and was wrecked. Fate and details
are unknown.

DILIGENTE (built 1877)

Her name is the Spaish word for "adroit."Career: In the early 1890's, the vessel was part of Ferrol Naval
Group, but, in 1895 was transferred to Cuba. Fate and details are unknown.

OTALORA Class gunboats

Displacement

Dimensions

Horsepower

Speed

Range

Bunker capacity

Shafts

43 tons

20.59m x 3.58m x 1.17m

45

9 knots

700 miles

5 tons

1

These vessel were armed with one 25mm/42cal rapid-fire gun. They had
a crew of 23 men.

These iron-hulled vessels were built at Cavite for service in the
shaols and rivers of the Philippines.

The vessels of the OTALORA class are as follows:

BLASCO (built 1883)

The origin of her name is unknownCareer: During Spanish American War, she was located in a remote
location.Details and fate are unknown.

GARDOQUI (built 1884)

The origin of her name is unknownCareer: During Spanish American War, she was located in a remote
location.Details and fate are unknown.

OTALORA (built 1881)

The origin of her name is unknownCareer: During Spanish American War, she was located in a remote
location.Details and fate are unknown.

URDANETA (built 1884)

The vessel was named for Andreas de Urdaneta (1498 - 1568),
a Spanish explorer, who, in April, 1565 established the first mission on
the Sebu.Career: During Spanish American War, she was located in a remote
location.In 1899, while on the Orani River, she was captured by Insurgents
and total destroyed.

DIAMANTE Class gunboats

Displacement

Dimensions

Horsepower

Speed

Range

Bunker capacity

Shafts

42 tons

19.0m x 3.6m x 1.8m

110

7 knots

400 miles

5 tons

1

These vessel were armed with one 25mm/42cal rapid-fire gun. They had
a crew of 26 men.

These iron-hulled vessels were built for service in the shaols and
rivers of Metropolis.

The vessels of the DIAMANTE class are as follows:

DIAMANTE (built 1889)

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "diamond."Career: The vessel served as part of Ferrol Naval GroupDetails are unknown. She was probably scrapped in the first decade
of the 1900's.

PERLA (built 1887)

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "pearl."Career: The vessel served as part of Cadiz Naval Group.Details are unknown. She was scrapped in 1925.

RUBI (1889)

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "ruby."Career: The vessel served as part of Ferrol Naval GroupDetails are unknown. She was probably scrapped in the first decade
of the 1900's.

ALERTA Class gunboats

Displacement

Dimensions

Horsepower

Speed

Range

Bunker capacity

Shafts

43 tons

21.33m x 2.65m x 1.3m

200

10.5 knots

800 miles

?

1

These vessel were armed with one 42mm/42cal quick-fire gun and one 37mm/30cal
quick-fire gun. They had a crew of 13 men. When fully loaded, the ship
had a displacement of 1.90 meters.

These steel-hulled vessels were built in 1895 for service in Cuba
against the insurgents by British "Forrest & Son" Co. They were built
in lieu of the series of torpedo-boats that were originally planned in
the 1887 shipbuilding program.

The vessels of the ALERTA class are as follows:

ALERTA

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "vigilance."Career: Built in 1895 in Cowes, England. In 1896, she was sent to
Cardenas, Cuba, under the command of Lt. Pasquin. She served until
1900.Details of her service are unknown.

ARDILLA

The vessel's name is the Spanish ward for "squirrel."Career: Built in 1895 in Cowes, England. In 1896, she was sent to
Cardenas, Cuba, under the command of Lt. Bauza. She served until
1900.Details of her service are unknown.

COMETA

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "comet."Career: Built in 1895 in Cowes, England. In 1896, she was sent to
Cienfuegos, Cuba, under the command of Lt. Carreras. She served until
1901.Details of her service are unknown.

ESTRELLA

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "star."Career: Built in London, England in 1895. In 1896, she was sent
to Mansanillo, Cuba, under the command of Lt. Don Joaquin Rivero.
The vessel took part in the Mansanillo battle of June 30. After the July
18, she was scuttled and destroyed by her crew. Further details of her
service are unknown.

FLECHA

The vessel's name is the Spanish warod for "arrow."Career: Built in London, England in 1895. In 1896, she was sent
to Havana, Cuba, under the command of Lt. Latorre. Some source indicate
that the vessel took part in the battles at Havana on may 14 and June 10,
1898. She served until 1900. Further details of her service are unknown.

FRADERA

The vessel was named for a Spanish officer anmed Fradera
(?-1864) who was killed at Callao, Peru. His loss was the catalyst for
the war between Spain and Chili and Peru.Career: Built in 1895 in Cowes, England. In 1896, the vessel was
transferred to Batabano, Cuba under the command of Lt. Ortiz. She served
until 1900.Fate and details are unknown.

GAVIOTA

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "gull."Career:Built in 1895 in Cowes, England. In 1896 the vessel was transferred
to Cienfuegos, Cuba, under the command of Lt. Carillo. The vessel did participate
in some ineffectual firing with the U.S. blockading vessels. She served
until 1901.Fate and details are unknown.

GOLODRINA

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "desire."Career: Built in 1895 in Cowes, England. In 1896, the vessel was
transferred to Nuevitas, Cuba, Nuevitas under the command of Lt. Jaudenes.
After the capture of the Nuevitas, she was transferred to Gibara. The vessel
was scuttled and destroyed at the moment of the port's capitulation.

LIGERA

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "light."Career: Built in 1895 in London, England. In 1896, the vessel was
transferred to Cardenas, Cuba, under the command of Lt. Perez Rendon. The
vessel took part in the April 25 action against the U.S. torpedoboat CUSHING
in the first action of the Spanish American War. The vessel also took part
in the May 8 action, taking two small hits but without significant damage.
At the Cardenas battle of May 11, 1898 against four U.S. vessels, she took
one hit to her in her machinery and had to leave the battle order. After
temporary repairs, she was towed to Havana for major repairs. Some sources
indicate that she took part in some fire with the U.S. blockading squadron.
She served until 1900. Her fate and details are unknown.

LINCE

Her name is the Spanish word for "lynx."Career: Built in 1895 in London, England. In 1896, the vessel was
transferred to Cienfuegos, Cuba, under the command of Lt. Gomez Aguado.
She took part in some ineffectual exchanges of fire with the U.S. blockading
vessels. She served until 1900.Fate and details are unknown.

SATELITE

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "satellite."Career: Built in 1895 in London, England. In 1896 the vessel was
transferred to Cienfuegos, Cuba, unde rthe command of Lt. Moreno. She took
part in some ineffectual exchanges of fire with the U.S. blockading vessels.
She served until 1900.Fate and details are unknown.

VIGIA

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "sentry."Career: Built in 1895 in London, England. In 1896 the vessel
was transferred to Mariel, Cuba under the command of Lt. Nunez-y-Boado.
She served until 1900.Fate and details are unknown.

BARACOA Class gunboats

Displacement

Dimensions

Horsepower

Speed

Range

Bunker capacity

Shafts

40 tons

20.00m x 2.65m x 1.20m

200

12 knots

800 miles

?

1

These vessel were armed with one 42mm/42cal quick-fire gun and one 37mm/30cal
quick-fire gun. They had a crew of 13 men. When fully loaded, the ship
had a displacement of 2.05 meters.

These iron-hulled vessels were built in 1895-96 for service in Cuba
against the insurgents by vea Murguia Co. of Cadiz. They were built in
lieu of the seriesof torpedo-boats that were originally planned in the 1887 shipbuilding
program.

The vessels of the BARACOA class are as follows:

ALMANDARES

The vessel was named for a river in Cuba.Career: Built in 1895 in Cadiz, Spain. In 1896 the vessel was transferred
to Batabano, Cuba under the command of Lt. Canto. She served until 1900.Fate and details are unknown.

BARACOA

The vessel was named for a town in Cuba.Career: Built in 1895 in Cadiz, Spain. In 1896 the vessel was transferred
to Nipe, Cuba, under the command of Lt. Guiterrez. After the American attack
on Nipe, she was transferred to Gibara. The vessel was scuttled and destroyed
at the moment that the port capitulated.

CAUTO

The vessel was named for a river in Cuba.Career: Built in 1895 in Cadiz, Spain. In 1896 the vessel was transferred
to Caibarien, Cuba, under the command of Lt. Flores. She served until 1900.Fate and details are unknown.

GUANTANAMO

The vessel was namde for a town in Cuba.Career:Built in 1895 in Cadiz, Spain. In 1896 the vessel was
transferred to Mansanillo, Cuba, under the command of Lt. Don Bartolome
Morales. The vessel took part in the June 30 action at Mansanillo. After
the July 18 battle, the vessel wasscuttled and destroyed by her crew.

MAYARI

The vessel was named for a river in Cuba.Career: Built in 1895 in Cadiz, Spain. In 1896, the vessel was transferred
to Sagua, Cuba under the command of Lt. Lisarregui. She served until 1900.Fate and details are unknown.

YUMURI

The vessel was named for a river in CubaCareer: Built in 1895 in Cadiz, Spain. In 1896 the vessel
was transferred to Nuevitas, Cuba, under the command of Lt. Suances. After
the capture of Nuevitas, she was transferred to Gibara. She was scuttled
and destroyed at the moment the port capitulated.

GENERAL BLANCO
Class gunboats

Displacement

Dimensions

Horsepower

Speed

Range

Bunker capacity

Shafts

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

The characteristics of these vessels are unknown, but probably similar
to the previous class.

These steel-hulled vessels were built in 1895-96 at Cavite for service
in the Philippines against the insurgents. They were built in lieu of the
seriesof torpedo-boats that were originally planned in the 1887
shipbuilding program.

The vessels of the GENERAL BLANCO class are as follows:

ALMONTE (1895)

Career: Details and fate are unknown.

CARES

65 tonsCareer: During the Spanish American War, this vessel was still on
the slip. Details and her fate are unknown.

CORCUERA (1895)

40 tonsCareer: Details and fate are unknown.

ESPANA

65 tonsThe vessel's name is the Spanish word for "Spain."Career: During the Spanish American War, the vessel was still on
the slips. Details and her fate are unknown.

GENERAL BLANCO (1895)

60 tons, 11 knots., Armament: 1 x 42mm/42cal quick-fire
gun, 1 machine gun.The vessel was named for General Blanco, who served as general-governor
of
the Philippines at the time, prior to being sent to Cuba, where he spent
the Spanish American War.Career: She was build for service on Lanao lake.Details and fate are unknown.

LANAO (1895)

60 tons, 11 knots, Armament: 1 x 42mm/42cal quick-fire gun,
1 machine gun.The vessel was named for a lake on the Philippine island of Mindanao.Career: She was built for service on Lanao lake.Details and fate are unknown.

CARIDAD

Displacement

Dimensions

Horsepower

Speed

Range

Bunker capacity

Shafts

33 tons

15.68m x 3.74m x 1.60 m

30

7

4 tons

The vessel was armed with one 70 mm Hontoria gun, and one 25 mm machine
gun. The crew complement was 14 men.

This wooden-hulled vessel was built for service in the colonies.
She was in bad condition in 1898 and was sold at the conclusion of the
war. Details of her service are unknown.

CONDOR Class gunboats

Displacement

Dimensions

Horsepower

Speed

Range

Bunker capacity

Shafts

71 tons

24.50m x 3.91m x 1.83 m

300

13

800

10

1

The vessel was armed with one 87mm/27cal. breechloading gun. The crew
complement was 27 men.

These steel-hulled vessels were built for service at Metropolis.

The vessels of the CONDOR class are as follows:

AGUILA (1891)

This vessel was different in tht it carried one 37mm/30cal
quick-fire instead of the 87mm gun.The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "eagle."Career: The vessel was part of the Cadiz Naval Group, but at the
beginning of the Insurrection, she was transferred to Havana, Cuba. Some
sources indicate that she took part in the June 10, 1898 action.Details and fate are unknown.

CONDOR (1887)

The vessel's name is the Spanish (and English) word for
the famous bird of prey.Career: The vessel was part of Ferrol Naval Group. During the Spanish
American War, she served patrol and customs duties Galicia. She was lost
on the rocks of Vigo Bay on January 24, 1902.

CUERVO (1891)

The vessel's name is the Spanish word for "raven."Career: The vessel was part of the Cadiz Naval Group. During the
Spanish American War, she served patrol and customs duties at Gibraltar.Details and fate are unknown.

Please note that we are looking for more
information on these vessels. If you have additional data, please contact
us!
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